BARF Anyone: Raw Food Diet for your Pet
BARF, anyone?
When it comes to your pet, there are many trends and opinions on the best food options.
One trend that has grown in popularity recently is raw food or BARF. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.
The idea behind BARF is that if pets are fed responsibly and properly you are maximizing their health and longevity, reducing allergies, and reducing vet bills.
The BARF diet consists of foods such as raw meat, finely ground bones, fruit, and vegetables.
Pet owners who use the BARF diet with their pets feel that feeding their dogs and cats naturally is how Mother Nature intended.
Reported benefits of the raw food diet include:
Less tartar buildup on teeth leads to better-smelling breath
Skin conditions associated with allergies are eliminated leaving your pet with a shiny coat
Your pet’s weight is kept in a health range and it becomes easier to maintain a lean and fit body
Strengthened immune system
Lower in cost than purchasing processed food
Less of an odor produced by your pet
Proponents of the BARF diet believe that feeding pets commercial food is unhealthy.
Commercial food contains preservatives, dyes, and salt and contains other additives to make the food last longer and taste better. Some commercial pet food also is high in carbohydrates, which can be unhealthy for your pet.
There are many fresh and local places, such as Farmer’s Markets in Northern Virginia, where you can buy fresh meat and other raw foods for your pet.
There are also many local producers of raw food for pets right in Northern Virginia, if making your own is too time-consuming, some sell direct and most are available in locally owned pet stores.
There are many options and opinions on what to feed your pet. Make sure you do your research to find the best option for you and your pet. If you need support or want to know more about pet owners who follow a raw diet for their pet, there are Raw Food Meetup Groups in Northern, Virginia, which you can participate in to get more information. If you have a pet sitting service to assist you in meeting the needs of your pet, talk to them.
They can assist you in finding raw options and you’ll need to inform them as during the transition and throughout future pet sitting service visits they will need to be aware of the changes in your pet’s diet.